7 Beautiful Church Wedding Venues in San Francisco

San Francisco isn’t just one of the most beautiful cities in the United States — it’s also filled with churches that look like movie sets. From grand Gothic architecture to warm, cozy interiors, this city doesn’t disappoint. It’s the ideal backdrop for any couple dreaming of a ceremony with artistic flair.

This is your go-to guide for the best church weddings in San Francisco. Whether you’re religious, spiritual-ish, or looking for great acoustics and stained glass, there’s a space that fits your dream wedding.

1. Grace Cathedral

There’s dramatic, and then there’s Grace Cathedral. It’s the mother of all cathedral wedding venues. This French Gothic-inspired landmark sits gracefully — no pun intended — on Nob Hill. It blends all the grandeur of European churches with West Coast modernity. The cathedral features towering vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows and a labyrinth design on the floor.

Grace Cathedral offers multiple ceremony locations based on your wedding size. For bigger parties, choose from the large nave or the outdoor labyrinth. The Chapel of the Nativity and the quire are perfect for small to medium groups. Couples are welcome to get married in the church, as long as one of them is a baptized Christian.

2. Swedenborgian Church

If you want a small church wedding in San Francisco with a more rustic setting, Swedenborgian Church is a dream come true. It has dark wood beams, handcrafted details, a fireplace and gorgeous exterior greenery. It offers nondenominational weddings, and it’s a National Historic Landmark. If you’re having a small wedding, it’s a hidden gem you can’t miss out on.

3. Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral

For other cathedrals to get married in, try Chinatown. Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral is tucked into the heart of this famous San Francisco area. The original building was constructed in the 1850s, but the current building is technically the third St. Mary’s. Its Gothic Revival architecture boasts dramatic design elements, gorgeous paintings and just the right amount of modernity.

This is your spot if you desire a small church wedding that still feels appropriately official. The brick exterior, vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows add that cinematic feel. The church’s location also means your post-ceremony food options are endless.

It’s still an active Catholic church, so make sure at least one person getting married is Catholic. This is a timeless spot for Catholic church weddings in San Francisco.

4. Presidio Chapel

If you want an older setting with warmth and a more vintage ceremony feel, consider Presidio Chapel. This nondenominational spot has Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture, making your pictures stand out from the crowd. It features redwood beams, a frescoed altar and wrought-iron chandeliers. With an adjacent patio and lawn, it’s perfect for outdoor or indoor vows and a casual cocktail hour.

5. Chapel of Our Lady at Presidio

The Presidio also offers the Chapel of Our Lady for weddings. If you’re looking for fairy-tale vibes, this is the storybook setting you’ve always wanted. The chapel sits in a grove of eucalyptus trees inside the Presidio. It’s got warm woods, soft lighting and beams with intricate hand-painted detailing.

Get married in front of a feature glass wall and look out over the picturesque view. The chapel is also nondenominational and has private restaurant options for your reception.

6. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church gets less hype than, say, Grace Cathedral, but that just means your wedding will stand out even more. Its white interior features carefully crafted details on the columns and walls. The brick exterior, arched windows and wood floors strike the perfect balance between classic church and modern aesthetics.

The historic sanctuary, built in 1894, offers the choice of piano or organ music for weddings. It welcomes all kinds of weddings and has reception spaces, so your party doesn’t have to travel after the ceremony.

7. St. Dominic’s Catholic Church

St. Dominic’s is another unforgettable church venue. If you’re a parishioner of this church, you can access unforgettable arches, vaulted ceilings and stained glass. The exterior features tall spires, while the inside has rich wood and dramatic lighting. Catholics looking to get married here will undergo the traditional sacramental prep process. It’s a stunning venue that adds all the ceremony and grandeur your wedding deserves. It’s genuinely one of the prettiest churches to get married in.

Tips for Planning a Church Wedding in San Francisco

After scouting out beautiful churches to get married in, you need to find the right one. Break down your planning carefully to make sure you’re narrowing down your options. San Francisco is home to some of the best venues in the country, but not every location can be a winner. Use these tips to find the right spot to start the next chapter of your life:

Pick your vibe: Do you want cozy or cathedral vibes? San Francisco’s churches come in all sizes and styles. Figure out your scale and how dramatic you want the ceremony to be. Choose a venue that matches your mood, not just your guest list size.
Know your ceremony type: Catholic churches often require premarital counseling, documentation or membership. There might be a minimum period you have to book out from. Nondenominational spots are typically more flexible. Ask early to avoid committing to a venue that doesn’t fit your beliefs or timeline.
Budget realistically: Church weddings all have different costs. They might only request a small donation or have thousand-dollar booking fees — and that’s just for the ceremony. Ask what the base price is, what’s included and what you need to bring. Is there a reception space? Parking? What are the conduct rules?
Plan for lighting and sound: High ceilings and Gothic acoustics are stunning, but they might make your vows impossible to hear without a microphone. Some churches have rules for lighting and camera placement, so make sure your photo and camera crew are in the know ahead of time.
Think logistics: Some churches offer on-site receptions, but many lack the additional space. Check out nearby hotels, restaurants or historic buildings that work with your church’s theme. Bonus points if guests can walk between the ceremony and reception.
Book early: Churches are a hot commodity. The most sought-after venues will be booked out months ahead of time. If you’ve found your dream space, book it as soon as possible — even if it’s over a year out. Always read the cancellation policy in case you need to make adjustments down the road.

No matter the church you pick, it’s sure to be a stunning backdrop to your ceremony. But you want to make sure all that architecture is captured well. Book an experienced photographer and videographer to do your location and ceremony justice. Shutter & Sound offers several wedding packages so you can make your memories last a lifetime. Reach out to us today!